About YPO

YPO are a public procurement organisation with customers including schools, local authorities, charities, emergency services, public sector and other businesses such as nurseries and care homes.

They supply products and services with an existing range of approximately 30,000 products and 80 service contracts. 100% publicly owned, by 13 local authorities, their profits are returned to their public sector customers.

Their strategy for personal growth focuses on developing 'hard skills' and 'soft skills' of staff. They’ve provided training for interview skills, getting the most from appraisals, and offering and supporting job-relevant NVQs to all staff. They have also provided qualifications such as Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development qualifications and Chartered Institute of Procurement Services qualifications.

The 'soft skills' element of YPO’s plan includes exploring people's personality types in order to discover how to motivate employees, build high performing teams and deliver feedback to people in the most effective way.

What is it like to work for YPO

Wellbeing

69% of staff agreed:

I am happy with the balance between my work and home life

Their Special Leave Policy, introduced in 2010, supports the provision for reasonable time off for staff to deal with caring responsibilities and in unexpected or emergency situations. This can be paid up to five days in any one year.

69% of staff agreed:

I am happy with the balance between my work and home life

My Company

88% of staff agreed:

I believe I can make a valuable contribution to the success of this organisation

They have an internal communications strategy to engage their employees with the new business strategy, ‘forward thinking, outward looking’. It aims to ensure employees know what is going on, are engaged and actively contribute to the organisation’s objectives and feel part of its success.

88% of staff agreed:

I believe I can make a valuable contribution to the success of this organisation

Fair Deal

57% of staff agreed:

I am happy with the pay and benefits I receive in this job

They host an annual free Family Fun Day to reward staff for their efforts. Staff and their families are invited and they have children's games, raffles, refreshments, a local radio DJ, a tombola stall, arts and crafts activities and Santa's Grotto.

57% of staff agreed:

I am happy with the pay and benefits I receive in this job

Learn more about the 8 factors of workplace engagement here

Benefits:

Women

At least 40% of senior managers are women
Gym

Companies offering either free gym/ sports facilities or offering subsidised gym membership for all employees
Long Service

50% of employees with more than 5 years' service
Family Friendly

School hours contracts offered to staff